Loved your insight about this time of year. I add to that the awareness of my own birthday(12/22), with all its resonate history, plus the recent loss of an elderly aunt which stirred grief over the death of my grandmother (2 years passed) So, although it hasn’t been a “light” time, at least I know why, and I’m comforted by the knowledge that it won’t always be this way.

How true. As soon as the nights began getting longer I noticed it became difficult to catch a good night’s sleep. The weather also makes me less motivated to work out, which adds to the levels of inactivity.

I used to become terribly depressed in January and February as winter seemed to drag on forever (one day is enough). But as I’ve gotten older and time goes a lot faster it no longer seems so interminable and it brings its own pleasures, such as turning on the police scanner during a snowstorm and listening to the reports of wrecks and getting to wear my “I want my global warming and I want it NOW!” tee shirt. And living near Milwaukee has benefits that the warm folks lack, like never having earthquakes, forest fires or hurricanes. We just turn up the heat, turn on the lights and wait for spring. And the more lights the better!

I have been horribly depressed this winter. I’ve been struggling with depression since I was a child, so feeling “blue” is nothing new. However, I’ve not had depression this severe since 1999. I am on Wellbutrin, which the doctor gave me to help me stop drinking, but it doesn’t seem to be doing a lot to help me with the actual depression. Some days, I am barely hanging on.
I am going to see my doctor this Thursday, and I am hoping he will hear me and give me a different medication for the depression. I am also starting counseling today to help me deal with some things that have happened in the last year.
I try to do things that give me some relief from the depression, but it doesn’t always help. There are days when I fear this will consume me completely. I often ask God to help me to hope and dream again, because right now, I do not do either. It’s all I can do just to get through a day, let alone dream of a future when life might be better.

There are a few nice things about the Dark Ages–delicious soups I’d never make in warmer weather, woolen socks, flannel sheets, cozy quilts, wet venti capuccinos and the number one reason i love winter in Chicago: snow.
(The fact that the bulky clothes hide the chubby is an extra bonus: just say “yes” to snow pants…they’re not just for skiing anymore.)

Chatter, you almost make me want to move back to my hometown – almost. I can go along with everything that you make so inviting. But then there are the bitter winds off the lake that freeze the tears that run down your cheeks because you are so freaking cold. The same wind that sweeps you off your feet and sends you skidding down the icy sidewalk. And the black, frozen slush which sloshes into your boots at every corner….ahhh, Chicago in the winter….I’ll stay in Virginia.

Larry – You brought a smile to my face. I’m glad to see that you are protecting our borders on BB! I can barely write, but I wanted to let you know that you and T still make me smile. I am extremely depressed. I feel some times as though I can’t hold on any longer. The depression is one component, but the situation with the chronic me/cfs/fm is bringing me to a state of hopelesness.
I received an email from a friend yesterday (it was a forward) – and it was about God and why God allows pain and suffering. The upshot was that people have pain and suffering because they don’t go to him.
Now – this is a dear friend, and most of the time I would just hit delete and be done, but I am so sick of people who don’t have chronic illnesses (such as we all do on BB) – with their BS. I “replied to all” deliberately – I was just so pissed. Therese – you know how I get with my “eloquent phrasing” at times. Anyway, I called her on it. It was dignified and explained my hurt, but actually, I was furious. I still am. I wrote to her and the others that basically the content of the email summed up to be that it’s the afflicted person’s fault to be in pain and suffering.
This was while I was getting ready to leave for Englewood Hospital for the Sleep Study Center for the evening. Whoppee. What fun. She replied with an apology and when she re-read the e-mail saw where it went “wrong” – so to speak.
I thanked her for her acknowledgement, but now (typical) I feel scared and guilty for even adressing it. I know I’m nuttier than usual being so sick on top of the depresssion – and now I have to ‘work on’ not beating the crap out of myself for saying something to her.
Well – as you can see from my writing, I’m not exactly on my “A” game.
I haven’t been back on the community page for a while again, and I can’t do it right now. Just writing this feels so big (which feels really stupid to type out).
At least here I can just express the truth – so, Therese – keep doing what you’re doing and Larry – thanks for keeping it safe.
Nancy L.

Hey – even us Californians can have SAD – especially those of us living in it’s decidedly un-sunny central valley. I appreciate chatter’s view and uplifting comments. I’m new to all these strategies and am trying them out….wish I could just add another pill. ::sigh::

i to am counting the days till the sunshines but untill then i guess i will snugle in my electric blanket and pretend iam laying in the sun.thank god for my meds….. marilyn

Nancy L,
Hope you’re startin g to feel at least a LITTLE better!(Both physically and emotionally. And IMHO you did your friend a favor by setting him/her on the right path, for sure you did yourself and all of US a favor, especially if s/he could “see where s/he went wrong.” If we don’t educate the masses, who will? so from me you get praise, not condemnation; it takes courage and commitment to calling someone on their ignorance, so THANK YOU for displaying both.

Nancy, I second Margaret’s comments. Lose the guilt for standing up for yourself.

(((Nancy L.)))
I PRAY your results at Englewood Hospital go well.
I can literally feel the PHYSICAL pain in your writing — it breaks my heart And I can only hope that doctors will find a cure for all your afflictions — or barring that, a way to relieve your pain and release the enormously compassionate, wonderful woman underneath it.
Larry

Its funny just before reading this artice a coworker and nad I were just talking about how the weather affects our moods.LOL Currently here in GA there is drought so with the combined gloomy winter and no water…will it may rain today! yeahhhh. some of us are walking around looking like we all need naps.

I was feeling the blues too, but I dragged myself off to the gym for the fiirst time today! I rode bikes, played ball, tried out some exercise machines, and walked for 15 min on the treadmill then I layed in the sauna for about 15 more minutes!! It felt like being on the beach!!!

Though of course its true, that lack of sunlight affects our bodies very much, in many ways; if we say the darkness is hard on us, it will make it that much more true. You, and your body, believe everything that you say. Kind of a self fulfilling prophecy. The more positive you say, at least theres a chance of it coming to be. When we say negatives, we believe them until they are reality. How do I know that? Because Im a pro at it. I’m learning. I like to feel good.
Living in Alaska, I understand short days. But I live for those 22 hour days of light!! oh yeah. If you could only store the serotonin!
Lori

Chatter,
You stated “there are a few nice things about the Dark Ages–delicious soups I’d never make in warmer weather, woolen socks, flannel sheets, cozy quilts, wet venti capuccinos and the number one reason i love winter in Chicago: snow.
(The fact that the bulky clothes hide the chubby is an extra bonus: just say “yes” to snow pants…they’re not just for skiing anymore.)”
I agree with most of them EXCEPT the snow and hiding the chubby because I have to hand shovel the snow here in Michigan (wet and heavy) and the chubby I am hiding behind the bulky clothes unfortunately to soon I have to work off so I look decent during the spring and summer months!! LOL
God Bless
Nancy aka sixlittlekitties

Hey Babs, its Greeneyez,,, I dont live too to far from you ,, as I am in Pennsylvania near Hershey!!! I have relatives in Norfolk Va. Eileen

come live in ohio where its cloudy,dreary and dark from november untillmarch to experience a mood

Come live in Arkansas where the weather changes every few days. One day it’s nearly 70 and the next the wind chill is 4. I wouldn’t trade it for any other place on this earth. The only other place I plan to live is in Heaven. Have a great day. God Bless. Sincerely, Carol

Well I live in the far East Northern part of Calif.Let me tell you this.Its cowboy country,but no sun,lol.When the sun does ever come out I am lucky its 15 degrees out.It snows all the time,wind never stops blowing.Thats just winter.No spring.Sometime in June in might warm up to the 70s,but its cloudy with thunder stroms.In August we have summer.It will finally get in the 90s,everyone fells ill here,due to it got hot to fast.Then Sept comes and rain ,snow.I fight depression with all I have alone with no Meds,due to I am Medicine Senstive,due to having Fibro.So I find things to do,not much mind you due to my health condition took my life almost away from me.But I love the sun and heat.I have 6 kids,just 4 still at home and a stay at home single mom.So for all those who think Calif its a sunny warm state,you never lived in the high Desert of Calif.

I don’t know where they get the idea that California doesn’t get dreary, but last week and a few days this week, the weather was so bad, it even had snow in our foothills. Winter has returned to southern California with a gusto. But I like the crisp nights and beautiful clear mornings since I was raised mainly in Ohio where we used to dig ourselves out of the snow blizzards we had there. Anywhere you go the sun gets through even if it is a little bit cool. I heard of a lamp on a tv show once that some doctors prescribe for their patients. Maybe you should check it out with your doctor to give you a pick-me-up during these dreary days.

You guys have no idea!I live in Anchorage,Alaska formally of Grenada,Mississippi, and I’ve been here since 2001 and the days are short in winter months! I usually say to myself, “I’ll be glad when summer comes” so what if the days are longer then.
Many days I am at home because I am so down and I can’t leave home,(really)!Oh yeah,since moving here, I’ve been diagnosed w/ having bi-polar in 2004. Started taking med’s and stopped. Idiot!!
Sheila Reed

Thanks for the reminder! I’ve been so “lazy” and getting down on myself for not getting more done. I forgot that I always relate most to bears at this time of year – good hibernating time. At least I can lower my expectations of myself at this time of year and not make things worse!

SAD lightboxes are fantastic for winter. I cling to mine like Linus with his blanket. Until I discovered lightboxes eight years or so ago, I was on anti-depressants all winter. Since buying one, I haven’t taken antidepressants at all. It does not work quite as well, but along with it, I try to get plenty of exercise outdoors, and do meditation and yoga, and feel that combination is better than being on meds. We also have daylight fluorescent bulbs all over the house, which makes a huge difference. As to location, I live in Normandy, France, where winter is endless rain and fog and very low light levels. Our mediaeval house has tiny windows and thick walls – very dark inside, and we work from home, so are in this atmosphere all day. But with several daylight fluorescents above and a 10,000 lux lightbox right next to me, and a birdsong CD on the computer, it feels like spring.

I guess I should be grateful to be in Fl. but if your a bi-polar depressive it really doesn’t matter. Well then again I hate the cold
so back to gratitude I think it’s gonna be in the 80′s today so I think I’ll focus on the weather today yeah nothing else just the beautiful weather not the tree pollen that’s throught the roof and killing my allergies the beautiful weather. You see my mind always wants to go back to the negative, JUST FOR TODAY I WILL REPLACE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS WITH POSITIVE ONES THANK FOR REMINDING ME WHERE I LIVE!

I live in a Rocky Mountain state, and I’ve found myself dreading winter for years now, especially since I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 16 years ago (which is now mild, thankfully). I have always suffered from cyclothemia (a milder form of bipolar disorder, which runs in my family), but there’s nothing like one dark snow storm after another like we often get in January through March to send me into a very dark place. We run a small business and I’ve always felt it was very bad timing for everyone to have to concern themselves with taxes and such at this time of year also…insult to injury as far as stress is concerned!
I see a therapist regularly. After our discussion about SAD, he chose that as his topic for our local weekly newspaper since he writes a weekly column for it.
He said I made him realize just how common that is in our area. Also, we’ve had many untimely accidental deaths in our small community which haven’t helped the gloomy winter months. All winter related, unfortunately, car accidents and several individuals died in an avalanche.
After we spoke about it, he thought dealing with grief on a personal and community level might be a good topic.

I have been having fantastic results using EFT emotional freedom techniques which is under the umbrella of energy psychology or therapy for all issues–worth looking into///

My husband and I live in Oregon. So I understand how some people, such as my husband have a tough time with Winter. I grew up here in Oregon and as a child I loved the snow. As a grandma with fibromyalgia and arthritis, I remind myself everyday it is still a beautiful day and we do need the snow pack for our rivers, streams, and lakes.
My husband who grew up in sunny Southern California, and is a disabled veteran has a very hard time with the cold. We have considered for a number of years being snowbirds. But that won’t be for a few more years as I am taking care of my Mother.

Exercise, exercise, exercise – especially if you, like me, are blessed to have a group like I find at CURVES. The discussions range from diets to travel to disorders and since nothing is “personal” it can be left there when you waltz on out. It can brighten a winter day.

It really is difficult to get by emotionally and physically during these months. If it’s not the lack of daylight, it’s getting around in the horrible weather, spending money each hoiday, and catching up with things we have been putting off – which brings me to what usually bothers me and most people I know during these months. Usually when the weather is beautiful, we don’t care if we miss a car payment or credit card payment just to go shopping or to the beach, because we’re about to do something fun and can make up for it. When there isn’t something to distract us from our worries, doubts, and fears, we easily slip into our “dark age” that reminds us of what we need to take care of…ourselves. When we forget to take care of ourselves or take responsibility for what we need to, it’s easy to slip into a slump and begin to doubt your self and self-worth. My advice: stick to “the books” and get everything squared away so that it will be easier to enjoy the little things the Winter months have offered us when we were children.

the best way (to get away)is by letting the Lord into your life.You can let him know what troubles you,and he won’t judge you.the best thing is HE’S THERE 24/7 rain or shine waiting for you to accept him and the help HE will give you.